A Labor of Love
In 1998, the Clinton-Eaton-Ingham Community Mental Health Agency opened a new building for mental health services in the Tri-County area. Elinor Holbrook was Chair of the CEI Community Mental Health Board during that time and believed there should be art on the new walls for everyone who visited to enjoy. She asked Roy Saper of Saper Art Galleries about art designed for buildings with heavy public use and together they worked to brighten the interior hallways and office spaces. She then turned to staff to start a rotating art display by and for clients of the facility, which still exists. Larry Holbrook, her husband, had recently retired and was actively applying his knowledge and love of mathematics in the creation of digital art. He was gaining recognition through writing and speaking on the relationship of mathematics and art as well as gallery exhibits of his art. She asked him if he would like to create a large five panel piece, “Zen Maple” for the new conference room and he gladly did, donating his completed work to CEI. Larry passed away in 2002, leaving behind hundreds of files of original digital art based on his mathematical formulas. “Zen Maple” has been copyrighted and is an example of his unique early attempt to translate digital tools into art.
Twenty years passed and Elinor wondered if Larry’s art was still on the wall of the CEI conference room. Yes, it was still there, intact, beautiful, and vibrant as always. She took photos, marveling at how fresh the panels looked and pleased that his art continued to give joy.
Shortly after her visit, Elinor attended a reception at the Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art which featured Julian VanDyke, a well-known Lansing artist, muralist, and illustrator. As she was talking to Julian and Terry Terry, owner of MICA, she decided to show them her recent photos of “Zen Maple”, at CEI and told them the story. Their response was immediate: please find a way to show Larry’s art! She called her daughter and son, both of whom have extensive technology backgrounds, and they instantly agreed that the neglected files needed to be examined. Elinor’s grandson, was then quickly pulled into the conversation as his life profession has been IT. The files, examined more closely with contemporary visualization, revealed stunning brilliant designs and colors, unique and amazing. They were convinced the best way to honor Larry, the artist, was to make his work public and accessible. RCP Artist Services, Inc then translated Larry’s art to canvas and metal. In November 2023, the first exhibit of Larry’s mathematically inspired digital art was held at MICA and was very well received.
